Senior Manager of External Partnerships

Title: Senior Manager of External Partnerships 

Department: SEO Scholars, High School 

Report to: Associate Director of Programs & Student Success 

Compensation: $70,500 – $80,600 

FLSA: Exempt 

Location: Hybrid – 2 days/week in office  

LOCATION/HOURS 

• This is a full-time, exempt position with a hybrid schedule requiring in-person work two days a week (including required Saturdays) and virtual work three days a week. The typical weekly schedule is as follows:  
  • Fall Term: Tuesday through Saturday (3x a month); Monday through Friday (1x month) – on off Saturdays 
  • Spring Term: Tuesday through Saturday (3x a month); Monday through Friday (1x month)
  • Summer Term: Monday through Friday
• In-person attendance is required for some Saturday programming dates. 
• Work requires local travel beyond the office for Saturday programming at the following locations (subject to change): 
  • Long Island University: 1 University Plz, Brooklyn, NY 11201
  • Baruch College: 55 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10010 

All candidates must be within commutable distance of SEO’s offices at 55 Exchange Place, New York, NY 10005, upon hire.   

ABOUT SEO  

For more than 60 years, SEO has created a more equitable society by closing the educational and career opportunity gap for ambitious Black, Hispanic/Latinx, and Native American young people. All are welcome to apply to our programs.   

POSITION OVERVIEW 

The Manager of External Partnerships oversees the strategic and day-to-day operations of the 11th Grade Summer Enrichment Programs, an integral part of SEO Scholars programming. This Manager provides opportunities for Scholars to engage in activities resembling the college admission and scholarship application processes. The Senior Manager’s main responsibilities include partnership building, application management, and student support for approximately 250 11th Grade Scholars. Additionally, the Manager co-manages SEO’s Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) and other external partnerships. This role reports to the Associate Director of Programs & Student Success and manages a part-time Enrichment Program assistant.  

Program Strategy & Operations 

• Plan and execute all components of the EP process including program research, the EP fair, parent meetings, and the application process.   
• Collect, organize, and analyze relevant data such as GPA and household income to drive EP decisions and strategies.  
• Manage the EP budget, which includes applications fees, tuition, travel, and other costs, ensuring financial sustainability and cost-effectiveness.
• Work with existing EP partners to grow relationships, increase opportunities, and improve the quality of the application process for Scholars.    
• Collaborate with the 11th Gr. Program Managers to match Scholars with appropriate EPs.
• Coordinate all travel and hotel arrangements for EP participants as needed.
• Diversify EP offerings and create new partnerships to increase opportunities for Scholars and to meet the needs of program expansion.  
• Develop and implement a strategy for evaluating the effectiveness of EPs, including collecting feedback from Scholars and partners to continuously improve the programs.
• Collaborate with the marketing team to promote EPs and share success stories with internal and external stakeholders.
• Increase professional internship opportunities for Scholars through the expansion of the SEO Professional Internship Experience and SEO + SYEP Partnership.
• Mentor and support the Program Manager of Mentoring & Enrichment Programs, the part-time EP assistant, and up to 5 part-time essay reviewers. 

External Partnerships 

• Strengthen SYEP partnership and develop innovative solutions for navigating bureaucratic challenges and obstacles.
• Manage SYEP programming for 10th and 11th-grade Scholars in partnership with the Manager of Scholar Engagement and Success.
• Manage external partnerships with key SYEP stakeholders to ensure a smooth application and enrollment process for rising 11th-grade Scholars. 
• Track and report on all SYEP participant data, including payroll and Scholar completion.
• Manage communication between SYEP providers and SEO staff, Scholars, and families.
• Reestablish the AmeriCorps partnership and recruit AmeriCorps volunteers. 

QUALIFICATIONS  

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• At least 2+ years of supervisory experience (part-time or full-time employees)
• Previous experience running a study abroad and/or international travel program required. 
• Experience engaging and recruiting corporate partners and organizations.
• Experience teaching or working directly with high school students for 2+ years. 
• Experience managing complex projects with multiple deadlines.
• Intermediate to advanced Excel skills and experience working with databases.
• Ability to work Saturdays as well as some evenings as needed. 

COMPETENCIES & SKILLS 

• Demonstrated passion for closing the achievement gap on the high school and college level for first-generation and low-income students.
• Proven track record of partnership development and management.
• Data-driven and results-oriented with a commitment to high-quality work.
• Highly organized with exceptional attention to detail.
• Strong communications skills; ability to speak/present publicly in front of large audiences.
• Intermediate to advanced Excel skills and experience working with databases.
• Strong background in Salesforce process implementation and improvement.
• Bilingual Spanish/English is highly desirable. 

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS   

SEO offers a competitive compensation package and comprehensive benefits plan including low-cost health, vision, and dental options, a generous holiday schedule and PTO policies, disability coverage, fully paid time off for new parents, and employer contributions to health reimbursement and retirement accounts. We are constantly working to improve our benefits each year based on the needs of our employees. We value wellness and strive to consistently use a DEIB lens to put people first and foremost.  

The compensation listed in this posting reflects what SEO believes it will pay for this position at the time of this posting. Consistent with applicable law, compensation will be determined based on the skills, qualifications, and experience of the applicant along with the requirements of the position, and SEO reserves the right to modify this pay range at any time.  

EEOC Policy 

At SEO we are committed to cultivating a team that embodies the backgrounds and experiences of the constituencies we serve and the communities we live in, and a workplace that reflects the impact we make in the world. Candidates from all communities – including people of color, women, members of the LGBTQIA+ Community, veterans, and people with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. 

Equal Employment Opportunity is not just the law, it is our commitment. 

Sponsors for Educational Opportunity is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer – M/F/D/V. We will consider all qualified applicants for employment regardless of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, marital status, veteran status, pregnancy, parental status, genetic information or characteristics, or any other legally protected status. 

If you need accommodation while applying for a role with SEO, due to a disability, please email SEO Talent. 

THE ORGANIZATION 

Established in 1963 by Michael Osheowitz, SEO (Sponsors for Educational Opportunity), is an educational non-profit focused on improving outcomes for students from underserved backgrounds. For over 60 years, SEO has been an innovator in education, mentorship, and creating educational programs and opportunities that maximize the full potential of our participants. Each year SEO serves 7,000+ participants nationally, and the organization is widely recognized for developing best-in-class programs with exceptional results. 

Not every SEO participant is on the same journey, but all are hungry for opportunity and SEO creates an ecosystem of excellence. Learn more about SEO’s programs here: https://www.seo-usa.org/our-programs/